How to properly care for wool

By Fisher & Paykel ADVERTORIAL| 1 month ago

Image: Getty

Do you avoid buying clothes made of special-care fabrics because they are perceived to be harder to take care of?

We often think about woollen garments as needing extra care, but wool garments actually require less washing than other dominant apparel fibres, and have some wonderful, unique properties such as natural odour resistance and stain resistance.

This means with care and Fisher & Paykel’s expertise, your favourite wool garment will be easier to take care of, making it your wardrobe favourite for longer.

The benefits of wool

Wool is one of the oldest fibres used by humans and contains properties that are unique to it.

Wool fibres have a crimped structure that allows minute pockets of air to hold in warmth providing comfort in colder temperatures. This crimp structure makes it difficult for dirt, dust and bacteria to penetrate the fibre making their removal easy – meaning less odour and fewer marks.

Wool has a natural elasticity that means woollen clothing bounces back into shape after washing and wearing. It’s naturally flame resistant as well!

Wool also has the unique ability to absorb and release moisture in warmer temperatures, keeping you cool in summer and doesn’t feel clammy when damp.
In the past wool had a reputation for being itchy and shrinking in the wash, but with merino wool and some specialised treatments, your wool garment will be soft and comfortable.

And lastly, as a biodegradable natural fibre wool is a renewable resource that can be recycled, leaving a gentle footprint on the environment.

How to wash wool

First check that the garment care label states “machine washable” and has the Woolmark™ logo.

Separate your dark and light colours and turn your garments inside out. Use a mild liquid wool detergent as this is easily removed from the fibre as the alkalis in soap will damage the wool fibre. Avoid bleach and fabric softeners; bleach dissolves wool fibres and fabric softeners inhibit the unique properties of wool.

The Woolmark™ guarantee means the wool cycle has passed a stringent testing regime that effectively removes soil such as dirt, blood, chocolate and wine, while still gently looking after clothes.

Handwashing can be time-consuming and messy, professional drycleaners use chemicals that are not environmentally sensitive so with a washing machine with a Woolmark™-approved specialist wash cycle we help you care for your woollen garments with confidence.

After the wash

Shake out and gently reshape your machine-washed woollens before laying them flat out of direct sunlight to dry. Should the garment need ironing use the wool setting with steam as wool does not appreciate being ironed when totally dry.

Wool knits should be gently folded and kept flat in drawers or on a shelf – hangers can often alter the stretch and shape, damaging the garment.

At the end of winter, it’s a good idea to wash your woollens before storing them away, this will remove any residue such as food stains or body oils that can attract moths. Storing them afterwards in an airtight container or bag will ensure they are ready for the next winter season.

Unsightly pilling on wool garments, which is caused by rubbing during wear, can be removed pilling by carefully picking or brushing them off with your hand or applying a pill shaver.